2022 Green Cleaner For Healthy Housecleaning

If you're reading this, it means that your interest is going around safe and green cleaning products that have less impact on individual health and our planet.

According to research by the American Association of Poison Control Centers, 1 human poison exposure occurs every 15 seconds in the United States, resulting in almost two million human poison exposures per year. Based on the surprising data, AAPCC has listed prevention tips for all families, especially those who have kids at home.

However, prevention is far from enough.

In many cases, traditional non-green cleaning products can be harmful to people, animals, and the environment. Aside from the long-term effect they may cause, being exposed to cleaning agents with toxic chemicals can trigger symptoms like redness, itchy skin, inflammation, and a stinging and burning sensation, especially for people who are highly sensitive to cleaning products.

At this point, choosing household green cleaners for healthy housecleaning is definitely necessary.

Read on to learn:

• What is green cleaning

• Why green cleaning is important

• What to look for in a green cleaner

• Which effective and natural cleaners I can pick

 

#1 WHAT is Green Cleaning

Green cleaning means using products, supplies, and equipment that are less toxic and much safer for human health at home, on a trip, in school, or in the workplace. While maintaining a healthy degree of cleanliness and disinfection, green cleaning practices can improve indoor air quality, reduce health risks from exposure, and protect our environment and planet.

 

#2 WHY Green Cleaning is Important

When you switch to green cleaning, you can reap a world of benefits from ditching chemicals for eco-clean products. To name only a few related to our daily lives:

• Cleaner Indoor Air Quality

Do you know that indoor pollutant levels can be much higher than outdoor levels? EPA's Total Exposure Assessment Methodology(TEAM) has found levels of about a dozen common organic pollutants to be 2 to 5 times higher inside homes than outside regardless of the homes' locations. Worse, while people use organic chemical-containing products, they expose themselves and others to extremely high amounts of pollutants, which can linger in the air long after the activity has ended.

• Safer Home

You may have been aware of the Flammable, Warning, Toxic, and some other warning labels printed on the packaging of some traditional cleaning products, implying potential risks. Not to mention children and pets at home are especially vulnerable due to the high-level exposure to those chemicals.

• Greener Planet

Most ideal green cleaners differentiate themselves from those traditional options by using sustainable manufacturing practices and naturally derived, safe, non-toxic, and biodegradable ingredients that don't negatively impact the environment.

So, starting to use greener cleaners or starting eco-cleaning as soon as possible is a sustainable way to go for your health, your family, and our common earth.

 

#3 WHAT to Look For in a Green Cleaner

Some people define green cleaning as simply using baking soda, vinegar, and lemons to clean their house surfaces. These are natural, environmentally friendly cleaners. Other households may seek out eco-friendly-made green cleaning goods (some are green brands).

For a green cleaner, there are a few aspects to consider in it:

• No Chlorine

• No phosphate

• No dues

• No hypochlorite

• Natural fragrances

• Biodegradable or recyclable packaging

• Plant-derived ingredients

In fact, the term "non-toxic", or "toxic-free" is not regulated by a governing body such as the FDA, but is defined by The ToxicFree Foundation, as a product that ‘has been created without the use of any potentially toxic, carcinogenic, or poisonous ingredients that could be questionable in safety.’

The ToxicFree Foundation is a private non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public about the toxic ingredients in personal care, cosmetics, household cleaning products, and more.

Their certification requires products to meet the following criteria:

• Safe: Toxic-free certified products are guaranteed to be completely free from harmful chemicals.

• Natural: Toxic-free certified products contain only ingredients that are 100% natural and from the earth.

• Eco-friendly: Toxic-free certified products are manufactured sustainably and are safe for the environment.

TIPS: Keep in mind that the most environmentally conscious green cleaners will clearly state on the label what makes them green and what environmental benefits they give. Check exactly the ingredients they provide and see if they meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards.

 

#4 Safe, Effective, Green Cleaners Trusted By Experts Checklist

We, consumers, have been laid a great burden today when we choose a green cleaner.

Many companies now create more cleaners claiming their products are plant-derived, eco-friendly, and biodegradable, but how can we know they are telling the truth?

Perhaps we need reliable and credible sources to be of help.

EWG(Environmental Working Group), founded in 1993 in the United States, is a non-profit community that specializes in research and advocacy in the areas of Personal Care Products, Household & Consumer Products, Family Health, Toxic Chemicals, etc, which is dedicated to helping people live a healthy life in a healthy environment.

Some specific green cleaners and categories that are recommended include:

Bathroom

Aunt Fannie's Bathroom Cleaner Spray

Vinegar is the strongest ingredient but the smell is not overpowering, and will not linger after you finish washing. Super great and natural ingredients involved without harsh chemicals, Aunt Fannie's Bathroom Cleaner Spray helps housecleaning much easier. Certified by rePurpose Global, this eco-friendly option makes a good addition to your home.

Seventh Generation Zero Plastic Bathroom Cleaner Powder, Fragrance Free

 

Effective bathroom cleaner with natural ingredients and biodegradable packaging. Wet your hands per instructions, then tap the can carefully to pour out a small amount, lather up, and rinse. A little goes a long way and it works well on your bathroom toilet, tub, mirror, and drawer. No smell or perfume was added to it, and hands were softer than they'd ever been using liquid hand soap after washing.

Dishwashing

Dropps Dishwasher Detergent Pods, Lemon

 

Skip the pre-wash and save water on every load. Deep cleans to keep your family healthy and safe. Leaves no residue or fragrance on your dishes. With recyclable cardboard packaging, cruelty-free, and plant-based ingredients, Dropps helps you "green" and clean.

Seventh Generation Dish Soap Liquid Free Clear

 

U.S. EPA Safer Choice certified products contain safer ingredients for human health and the environment. All-natural, green, earth-friendly, great light smell, and hypoallergenic to your skin. If you are looking for an environmentally-conscious brand for your dishwashing, Seventh Generation Dish Soap Liquid is your perfect go-to.

Laundry

Grab Green 3 in 1 Laundry Detergent Pods, Fragrance-Free

 

Specifically formulated to cut through dirt leaving your laundry clean and fresh without any optical brighteners, chlorine, or dyes and dissolve fine in cold water. Pods are lightweight and require less storage space.

Clearalif Laundry Detergent Strips Eco Friendly & Hypoallergenic

Clearalif is a great alternative to other traditional detergents as an eco brand. Hypoallergenic formulas keep your delicate skin free of allergies. Biodegradable packaging leaves no concern about bad environmental impact. Small-size packaging and detergent sheets are suitable for storage in your travel suitcase or in your laundry room without worrying about leakage and waste. Plant-derived ingredients are cruelty-free (not tested on animals) and safe for your family.

All Purpose

Mrs. Meyer's Multi-Surface Cleaner Spray

 

Derived from natural ingredients and never including parabens, phthalates, glycol solvents, formaldehyde, or artificial colors, Mrs. Meyer's offers a fresh way to clean, refresh, and remove odors from non-porous surfaces throughout the house. Safe to use as a hardwood floor cleaner, tile cleaner, on countertops, walls, and more.

Seventh Generation Glass Cleaner, Biodegradable Formula

 

For people who are looking for 100% essential oils and botanical ingredients, 0% VOCs, artificial fragrances, dyes, or harsh fumes, this spray is a good option for the all-purpose green cleaner that leaves your glass, mirrors, and stainless steel with a streak-free shine. No rinsing is required after using on your surfaces, simply spray and wipe clean.